Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson likes some aspects of Bill S-6, a bill to change the Indian Act.
For example, Cook-Searson likes the fact that terms of office for chiefs and band councillors are extended to four years from two.
But she told the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Affairs last night that the bill has several flaws.
The chief says one of them is the provision that councillors can be removed by petition — something she argues is undemocratic:
“Nobody in Canada is removed by petition. When we look at our Prime Minister, premiers, MPs and MLAs, they are removed through the election process. Why is it that everyone else can only be removed by the elections and democracy, and First Nations can be removed by petition?”
Cook-Searson said even senators, who are appointed by the government, can’t be removed that way.
She also notes that if a band wants to operate under Bill S-6, all the band council has to do is pass a resolution — there is no vote by band members.
However, Cook-Searson says if the band wants to opt out, band members have to vote in favour of it.
The chief says that doesn’t make sense — adding band members should have a vote to opt in, or to opt out, because it’s a huge decision for them that could impact the band for many generations.
The new bill would also require disputes about First Nations elections to be settled in federal court or superior court.
Cook-Searson says that would be expensive.
She also wonders why that would be required of First Nations when non-Native people don’t have to settle election disputes that way.
The chief agrees with other critics who say that a First Nations tribunal or electoral commission should settle those disuptes.